How would you go about pulling the insert out? Would you have to break it up, or does it pull out as a complete unit? Have the interface kit, and don't want to pull the dash apart to install it. Would that give you access to the wiring bundle?
Phil

 

It might give access, but I think you will still want to to pull apart the dash. The lead is very short, and part of the lead that you need is doubled back under tape. The part at the end of the wire that you see now is only half of the connector. To reach the rest, you have to take apart the dash per the kit instructions.

 

I installed the iPod adapter kit myself. I purchased the kit from the dealer for about $300. The install was relatively easy - the hardest part was removing the secret compartment. I found the instructions on a thread in these forums. The dealer charged 1 hour labor to upgrade the ecu and program the iPod kit and the alarm.

The sound quality difference between the aux jack and the iPod adapter kit is quite dramatic, in my opinion.

 

The problem is there were no instructions with the kit. Got it from Outmotoring. Have been over on MiniMania and printed out what few instructions were there, but they suppose the secret compartment is already out. Any idea where on the forum the instructions might be?

 

Good info here

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...t-removal.html

 

I just had the dealer install the iPod interface in my 2010 R57, and generally am happy - sound quality is noticeably better than aux in, and the interface is generally useful. Also like getting my iPod out of the cup holder.

I am still struggling with playlists. I only see a subset of playlists on the console - most of them don't appear. Does the software support smart playlists, and nested folders with playlists in them?

Thanks,
Fred

 

NO the iPod adapter that you have installed works off of a CD changer input and as such can only have up to 6 play lists as that is the max number of CDs in the available CD changer.

This particular unit is very limited in what it can do and how it can do it.

 

Thanks. I figured as much.

 

Hi , have a quiestion... I just had the IPOD interface installed in my 2009 JCW and when I go to Artists it stops at the letter “S”… and when going through Albums it stops at “P” I have over 30 Gigs on it and it’s the old original 60Gig 1st edition that uses a little disk hard drive. Anyone have any ideas why it does this… It will play an Artist from “S” and over but only if I find it using search by song name…..

 

No idea, I only have a little 16gig flash unit. I expect you are hitting a memory limit of the interface.

 

I think the only reason to go for the iPod interface from factory is for the better audio quality. The music selection interface if you don't have navigation/connect is horrible and the problems with the random not working properly is also annoying. Not worth the $500 addon.

 

Sturat, what happens when you put the Ipod on shuffle and hit "random" (4th selector button from the right on the dash) on the head unit?
My son observed that even on shuffle the ipod doesn't play all of the tunes, so we tried turning random selection off and letting it go through all of the songs once, then going back to random. It does a much better job of playing all of the tunes that way. My advise is be very careful not to load a bunch of marginal tunes in with the really great stuff...in fact ONLY load the really great stuff up...it's way easier to listen it that way....after the play-through, turn on "random" every time you get in the car and enjoy the music. I REALLY like mine....but then I have a great system to listen to.

Phil

 

I bought my Mini about 3 or 4 weeks ago, 2009 MCS, and it has a USB & Aux port right under the window switches in the dash console. However, the interface is horrible. Previously I have always put in aftermarket double-din units and they were far better than this.

Although I can SEE the artists on the radio's display, if I want to scroll through them it takes an hour going one by one. No just seeing the "A's" or the "B's" -- forget scrolling to the "Q's." I tried that once just for the h*ll of it ... took forever to get to Queen, and then I played one song and when I hit back, did it got back to the "Q" artists? Heck no, all the way back to the top of the list.

One of the threads suggested putting all the of artists into play lists based on alpha -- like an "A" playlist with all the artists for "A", a "B" playlist, etc. That might work, if my head unit actually DISPLAYED any playlists. I have some one my iPod, but when I hit "List" its empty.

You have to pay extra for this feature? Its horrible.

 

It sounds like everybody has kind of stayed stock with their stereo options..... I put in a Pioneer Premier that has Bluetooth/handsfree and iPhone-iPod-iPad capability. I installed everything, including XM myself after finding out the installer wanted almost $1,000 to install. Wasn't too hard with the right brackets and harnesses, just very time consuming. I was staring at my iPad as much as the car trying to make sure I took everything apart right, and didn't just tear my Mini to pieces! Very happy with the end product, especially since everything is hidden except head unit and USB port!!

 

I have a 2009 MCS w/ the standard non Nav radio. I bought it used back in May, and the other day I found the secret compartment. Inside I find that the iPod interface kit is already installed. Unfortunately it does not show up as a source on the radio. When I took it to Global Mini the service guys there had not seen this interface before and was suggesting it was an aftermarket device. I don't believe this to be true since the 30gb iPod I plugged in displays the "mini" logo. From what I've read in this post it should just be the radio that needs to be programmed.

Anyone that has the interface does it have issues were its missing from the source selection?

Also what should radio display for the iPod CD changer interface?

Is there a name to the Radio programming or service/part # so I can give these clueless Mini service guys?


Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

Mine shows up as CDC i think, would have to look. It is whatever the CD changer would be. You can only use one or the other. Then you have 6 choices on how you want to use the I-Pod. Google the Interface instructions and it should tell you what 1 thru 6 do as i can’t remember off hand. But if it is showing MINI on the I-Pod then your half way there. They need to check the program interface with the head unit. If you have a changer then that will need to be unplugged first and them the I-Pod interface would need to be re-programed. That’s what I’m thinking anyway!!!! Hope this helps.

 

This is an earlier post on this thread that you can see above, but I'll re-print it for you.
BlueDL1000
1st Gear
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 17

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I installed the iPodadapter kit myself. I purchased the kit from the dealer for about $300. The install was relatively easy - the hardest part was removing the secret compartment. I found the instructions on a thread in these forums. The dealer charged 1 hour labor to upgrade the ecu and program the iPod kit and the alarm.

The sound quality difference between the aux jack and the iPod adapter kit is quite dramatic, in my opinion.

 

If it is the dealer installed iPod interface, it shows up as the CD changer (CDC).